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1995 NC/SLA HORIZON AWARD
Presented to Marlys K. Ray
April 7 at Castle McCulloch in High Point, NC
This award is presented to a relatively new Chapter member who,
through work and professional activities, shows promise of becoming an
outstanding member of the library and information science profession.
Marlys Ray, currently employed in the Information Center of Blue
Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, is one of the finest examples of
what is truly extraordinary in our dedicated and talented young
professionals today.
This cum laude graduate from Vassar College took a double major
in French and Russian studies in 1984. Subsequently she entered the
corporate world in New York and worked several years as a credit analyst
and credit officer.
By 1992 she was in North Carolina. Before graduating in August
1994 from UNC-CH School of Information and Library Science, she served as
SILS SLA Student Group President. She also garnered a couple of the more
impressive awards: the SLA Business and Finance Division student stipend
award in 1993 and, in 1992, one of SLA's prestigious and highly
competititve national scholarships. As a student representative she
served on UNC-CH SILS Faculty Search Committee and on this Chapter's
Academic Relations Committee. Recognizing her broader responsibilities,
Marlys participates in youth education and community service activities.
In so many ways, Marlys has distinguished not only herself, but has
brought honor to this Chapter.
Marlys was also an intern with the National Institute for
Environmental Health Sciences' library in Research Triangle Park. Dav
Robertson is the Library Director there, but in my opinion he is truly
more like a coach. Coach Robertson of a "farm team" for future
information professionals. It seems several of his "player interns" have
made the pros. And Marlys is certainly one of them. A salute is due Dav
for his "player development program."
By the way, it was sometime during this period that Marlys
suffered a broken ankle, resulting in a cast and crutches, but which
appeared not to slow her one bit. I guess this is yet another example of
a "pro playing hurt."
Her strong voice, skilled research and enthusiastic leadership in
Chapter activities has established an attractive and powerful example for
all of us. Perhaps the most valuable contribution to this Chapter was her
detailed analysis of our 1993-94 Strategic Planning Questionnaire. It was
a monumental task to statistically analyze nearly 60 survey questions
from over 130 member responses, extract trends and generate
recommendations. The Chapter leadership has her report (actually it
turned out to be a thesis) and it will be come a central component of our
future planning.
The Chapter recognizes Marlys Ray's impressive scholarly and
professional contributions and takes this occasion to present her with
the North Carolina Special Libraries Association 1995 Horizon Award.
Submitted by Barbara Semonche,
NC/SLA 1995 Awards Committee Chair
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